Spring's around the corner and can't come soon enough. Soon we can canvas and recruit and promote our collective causes out in the open and unimpeded by feet of snow.
In that spirit I wanted to take the chance to announce some changes for the KY Branch of the IWW, as well as our upcoming and ongoing projects.
During our February meeting two new Fellow Workers were elected to serve executive positions. Fellow Worker Kate Lafferty will be spearheading organizing activities, a task she has proven to be more than capable of given her work on the recent National Adjunct Walkout Day teach-in at the downtown campus of Jefferson Community and Technical College, as well as her organizing activities with the newly formed Kentucky College Faculty Association. I, Fellow Worker Patrick Danner, have been elected to take over our press, a job which I believe--judging by my verbosity here--I am capable of doing to the highest standard. Fellow Worker Mick Parsons remains in his position as secretary-treasurer and Fellow Worker JP Wright remains our delegate and fearless leader. I think I can speak for Kate as well when I say that we look forward to working with and learning from these two veterans of the cause.
The space (you can see to the left) is a renovated section of The Mammoth, which is home to a number of local artists that we look forward to working alongside. The Mammoth has also become a staple in the artisan community of Louisville, hosting regular craft fairs and events where we have the chance to mingle with the creative crowd. The building has a long history of industry, having been built in 1865 and home to a pork-packing plant. We're especially excited to be putting down roots in a part of town where the biggest markers are railroad tracks, factories and warehouses. It reminds us what we organize for.
Next week, FWs Wright and Parsons will be heading out to Richmond, CA, for a conference on the Future of Railroads. Sponsored primarily by Railroad Workers United, the conference will include speakers and summits with groups such as Greenpeace USA, the Bay Area branch of Socialist Alternative, the Sierra Club, and the Aboriginal Alliance of Northern Alberta. The confluence of labor, community, and environmental activists will give us new steam to reach out to the community and build on alliances locally and nationally. To whoever thought that environmentalists and unions couldn't work together, you can read their resolution here.
While our delegate and secretary-treasurer set out for the sunshine of California, FWs Lafferty, Reagan Sova and myself are set to meet for a summit and organizing workshop with our local Louisville Socialist group (who were instrumental in raising the minimum wage for the city of Louisville last year) as well as the Philadelphia Socialists. Emphasizing community outreach and organizing, the summit promises to energize our efforts in the coming months as well as build on the working relationships already formed between the two cities.
Finally, the Joe Hill Tour that was written about last month continues to come together. As will all organizing efforts, it takes time and patience. Trust you'll hear more on that soon.
The next meeting of the Louisville GMB will be on March 26th at our new space at the Mammoth, 8 p.m. We'll all have updates, ideas, and energy. Hope to see you there.
Cheers,
Patrick Danner
Press Officer
KY IWW
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